Rob Freeth

An undertaker facing years in prison for sexually abusing boys will have to wait to discover the length of his sentence.

Gerald Martin was due to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today for 14 sexual offences against five boys.

The court heard the hearing could not go ahead because inquiries ordered by Judge Simon Phillips into the impact on the victims had not been completed.

After a trial earlier this year, Martin, 66, of Valley Close, Hartlepool, was convicted of seven charges of indecent assault, three charges of committing a serious sexual offence, three charges of attempting to commit the same serious sexual offence, and one charge of false imprisonment.

Judge Phillips ordered the case to be listed for sentence on November 25.